I started my first real career as a firefighter in Big Spring, TX in 2013. I was a 20 year old kid with no formal education, just looking to make ends meet. In January of 2016, I got hired as a firefighter in my home town of Lubbock, TX. At the time, it was my dream job. In Spring of 2016, I was introduced to the book “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by a friend. It inspired me to pursue financial freedom and after hours and hours of research and studying, I decided to use real estate as my main vehicle to accomplish that. I loved being a firefighter but I wanted more for my family than an average life. In July of 2016, I took what I was told by many to be a huge risk and purchased my first rental property. I cashed out my retirement money from my time in Big Spring to do this. I literally put blood, sweat and tears into that first property. At the age of 23, I had to evict my very first tenants and even received death threats. There were several nights where I had trouble sleeping.

That year I learned a lot of tough lessons but I stuck with it. I had a five year “plan” that would pave the road to financial freedom. I had no idea how I was going to get there, but I set a goal and wrote it down on some scratch paper and looked at it every day. At the time, it seemed like an overwhelming and unattainable goal but I had a vision and I believed in it. I picked up extra shifts with the fire department, did odd jobs around town and even donated plasma to save up the capital I needed to make my next purchase. I picked up a second job as an office assistant and then got my real estate license. Since 2017, I’ve been helping other people all over the country pursue financial freedom as well. My local market is a great buy and hold market and through Bigger Pockets, I was able to share some of my success with others from all over the country. It was a long process and many mistakes were made along the way, but I’m proud to say that by the end of 2021, I absolutely crushed my five year goal.

I took a huge leap this year and stepped down from being a firefighter. It was so hard to walk away from that I was literally been brought to tears. In my opinion, compensation aside, it will always be the best job in the world. Any other firefighter would tell you the same. Being there to help people in their time of desperation is an amazing feeling and doing it with an incredible group of men and women is an experience unlike any other. Over the years I’ve been on scene of a countless number of incidents. I’ve had my fair share of fires, car wrecks, a broad range of medical calls, traumas, gas leaks, baby deliveries and really anything else you can think of. There are things that I’ve seen and experienced that I will never forget, good and bad. I couldn’t be more thankful for all my fellow first responders that have helped make me the man I am today. I learned so many invaluable lessons throughout my journey from so many people. Ultimately, my decision will give me more freedom to spend more time with family and I'll have more time to devote to real estate.

None of this would be possible without me stumbling upon Bigger Pockets in 2016. This community literally changed my life. For those of you that helped me along the way, I can't thank you enough. And for those of you who are just starting your journey, I hope my story will help inspire you to continue to pursue your dreams. Good luck out there!